Bocas del Toro is a corner of paradise on the Caribbean coast where time seems to stand still:mangroves, red coral, giant tortoises, sloths and dolphins are all part of the treasure trove of the Bastimentos Marine Park, where nature alone is king…A seaside destination to savor.Finally, Bocas del Toro is an excellent stopping-off point to continue your adventures to Costa Rica.
Finding your way around the islands of Bocas del Toro
Isla Colon, Afro-Caribbean ambience
Bocas (the provincial capital), on Isla Colón, is home to the airport and a network of dirt streets, all leading to Calle Tercera, the main thoroughfare. Away from the center, you’ll find the wooden houses that served as housing in the days of the great banner plantations. The island has just two roads, only one of which is partially paved. The only « town » on Isla Colón is Bocas del Toro, where most of the accommodation and restaurants are concentrated.
Isla San Cristobal and the Ngöbe Bugle villages
Like many other islands in the archipelago, Isla San Cristóbal is surrounded by waters rich in marine life; in the north of the island, where vast areas are mangrove forests, you’ll be able to spot numerous dolphins. San Cristóbal is also the name of a Ngöbe-Buglé village, one of Panama’s indigenous peoples.
Isla Caranero, a relaxing destination
Located just across from the city of Bocas del Toro, the road- and car-free Isla Carenero will delight travellers who want to escape the stress of modern life. Pristine beaches cover this small piece of land, and surfing enthusiasts seem to have made a date with it! The island has no particular attractions worth mentioning other than the presence of a few restaurants and hotels frequented by tourists. If you choose to have lunch here, be sure to take a short stroll through the small village of Carenero. This visit will allow you to plunge straight into the everyday world of the island’s inhabitants and observe the small stilt dwellings so particular to the archipelago. In some cases, they seem to be standing upright by some miracle!
Isla Bastimentos, dream beaches and marine life
An integral part of the park, the Iles Zapatillas are entirely surrounded by a coral reef and are renowned for the beauty of their white sandy beaches. There are two of them, bathed in dreamy crystal-clear waters that are also shallow, making them ideal for snorkeling. On the coast of Red Frog Island, the sand is so white and beautifully undulating that you’d almost hesitate to walk on it, but the warm turquoise waters are too tempting. Palm trees line the beach and small paths criss-cross the forest…
The natural riches of Bocas del Toro
Leatherback turtle watching
Playa Bluff’s big waves make it a great surfing spot, and it’s also renowned as a sea turtle observation site. From June to September, many of them, notably the leatherback turtle, come here to lay their eggs at night. As these are protected species, visits during this season are subject to certain environmental regulations. For those wishing to witness one of these phenomena, Panama’s Ministry of the Environment offers guided night tours.
Bastimentos Marine Park: fauna, flora and seabed
Off the coast of Bastimentos Island, Marino Isla Bastimentos National Park occupies a large portion of the island’s territory, preserving the ecosystems of its beaches, mangroves and coral reefs. With its rich marine fauna and gigantic beaches that are home to up to four species of sea turtle, it remains unique in the country.
Bird Island, Swan’s Cay or Isla Pájaros
The tiny Isla de los Pájaros, also known as Swan’s Cay, is a bird sanctuary. As you might have guessed, it’s of particular interest to birdwatchers.
